Fire Survivor Resources

“Individuals that do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance may be eligible for DUA benefits beginning the week of Aug. 13, 2023, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster,” said Governor Josh Green, M.D.

Vacant PO Boxes at Post Offices across Maui will be temporarily made available at no charge to Lahaina residents who lost their homes or their Lahaina Downtown Post Office PO Boxes to the recent wildfire. 

Legal assistance for those impacted by the Maui wildfires on specific issues ranging from immigration to insurance claims will be offered by attorneys in private practice and a University of Hawaiʻi Law Clinic program from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 9, at Maui Economic Opportunity in Wailuku.

While the initial results are reassuring, the Maui DWS’ Unsafe Water Advisories remain in place at this time. The process to amend the Unsafe Water Advisory will be based on a comprehensive review of multiple lines of evidence. 

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 24 are posted HERE. Today, crews are conducting an underwater search of a four mile stretch of shoreline from Puamana Beach Park to Wahikuli Wayside Park, looking for human remains associated with the Aug. 8 wildfire in Lahaina. Six more people have been identified out of the 115 confirmed dead; and more than 1,000 remain unaccounted for. The state Department of Education has identified temporary school sites in Central and South Maui for displaced students who had been enrolled at one of four public schools in Lahaina.

Students already re-enrolled at other schools or in distance learning are unaffected. Family and community meeting scheduled for Aug. 30.

The Family Assistance Center has received reports about Maui community members receiving calls from individuals or organizations claiming to be with “DNA Services.” These telephone calls are scams, and anyone receiving them should hang up immediately and report them to the Maui Police Department’s non-emergency number at 808-244-6400.

Activated from the first moments of the Maui fires on Aug. 8, 2023, The Salvation Army prepared 26,284 meals and coordinated a total of 153,997 through local and nonprofit partnerships at 34 feeding locations during the initial phase of the relief effort, though feeding sites are now transitioning to non-congregate shelters at local hotels.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 23 are posted HERE. Today, consolidation is underway at county-run distribution supply sites. The phased reopening of King Kekaulike High School is underway. Eight more people have been identified out of the 115 confirmed dead; and more than 1,000 remain unaccounted for. A second mobile substation has been energized in Lahaina, with 1,800 still without power.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services reminds the public that the Airbnb registration will continue Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 through Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at the Lahaina Gateway Center. The registration area is located next to the Kaiser Permanente tents.

County of Maui-facilitated distribution sites will be transitioning locations, times, days and focus, according to an announcement released on Tuesday evening. The sites offer food, water and supplies to people impacted by Maui wildfires. 

The County of Maui is urging residents in a number of Upcountry areas, including Upper Kula and Kēōkea, to stop using tap water, effective immediately, while an unsafe water advisory remains in effect. Several structures in the Upper Kula area were destroyed by the Kula wildfire, causing the water system in the area to lose pressure. The loss of pressure may have allowed harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals, to enter the water system.

Heavy rainfall after a wildfire can greatly increase the risks of other dangers such as flash floods, debris flows, landslides and rockfalls. DOH reminds the public to avoid storm drainage and natural drainage channels due to rapid flowing waters.

The objective of HHFDCʻs Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Program is: Connect those with available living arrangements with displaced residents. While it is hoped that property owners will charge minimal or no rent, it is up to the owners and residents to agree on rents and other terms as part of standard rental agreements.

The Internal Revenue Service announced today, victims of wildfires in parts of Hawaiʻi that began on Aug. 8, 2023, now have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

As of Sunday morning, Aug. 20, approximately 1,800 individuals are reported to be sheltered at six hotel locations around Maui, with the American Red Cross and volunteers assisting with the transition from congregate shelters to hotels. Displaced individuals still at congregate shelters has dwindled to just 16 people.

Maui Wildfire Disaster updates for Aug. 20 are available HERE. The public is reminded that the Lahaina Gateway distribution center for food, water and supplies, and the Wailuku Donation Center at the Queen Kaʻahumanu shopping center are closed on Sunday, Aug. 20. Both will resume operations on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.

The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United encourages all food producers impacted by fire, severe winds and loss of markets due to the 2023 Maui fires and disaster to complete the Maui Producer Impact & Support Survey.

Kaiser Permanente will permanently close two mobile first aid stations on Sunday: at the War Memorial Gym at 8 a.m. and and Nāpili Plaza at 4 p.m.

Today, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has opened the Maui Relief Storage Facility, a coordinated donation management center on Oʻahu to receive, sort and inventory donations collected for Maui residents impacted by the wildfires and store them until they are ready to be transported and received on Maui.